The masterful technical prowess that chef/owner John Kraus channels into his breads and pastries continues when he turns his attention to the refined chocolate bonbons that grace the counter of his justifiably popular south Minneapolis bakery. ($1.35 per bonbon, six for $10, 12 for $20.)

4552 Grand Av. S., Mpls., 612-354-3257, www.patisserie46.com

Abdallah Candies

It doesn’t get more old-school than this fourth-generation-owned candymaker, satisfying cravings for 105 years. A festive favorite is a true simple pleasure: juicy maraschino cherries, their stems elegantly intact, dipped in milk or dark chocolate. “It’s one of our core chocolates,” said CEO Steve Hegedus, great-grandson of the company’s founder. “It has to be one of our original candies — we produce about 200 now — and we’ve probably been making them for 70 or 80 years.” (About $24.50 per lb.)

Cherries and chocolate, that timeless combination. This time, it’s in the form of tart, Italian-imported Amarena cherries, enrobed in a cherry ganache and covered in dark chocolate. The hand-painted cherry decorations are an extra-festive bonus. ($18.95 per dozen.)

Hard to believe, but the Dayton’s name disappeared 14 years ago. Its eventual replacement, Macy’s, continues a fine Daytonian tradition: the store’s 12th-floor candy kitchen, which turns out all manner of simple, appealing sweets, including crunchy toffee coated in milk or dark chocolate and finished with walnuts. ($25 per lb.)

700 Nicollet Mall, Mpls., 612-375-2200, www.macys.com

Stanley’s Sugarbush

For Valentine’s Day celebrants who are not into chocolate, why not tap a romantic taste of the maple forests of Douglas County, Minn.? ($3.95)

www.stanleyssugarbushmn.com, available at the Golden Fig, 790 Grand Av., St. Paul, 651-602-0144, www.goldenfig.com

Legacy Chocolates

Three cheers for the return of this deeply aromatic enterprise, now located on the skyway level of the historic Pioneer Building. Drop in for the dreamy drinking chocolate and the first-rate baked goods (heart-shaped brownies for Valentine’s Day!), leave with an assortment of truffles, their intense chocolate aura enhanced by uncomplicated flavors, from mint to raspberry to caramel- pecan. ($2.25 per truffle, six for $13.50, 12 for $25.75.)

141 E. 4th St., St. Paul, 651-340-5252, www.legacy chocolates.com

Sweet Goddess Chocolates

Owner Kathy Kahout takes barks to wonderfully unexpected places: milk and dark chocolate with strawberries and dried rose petals, dark chocolate peppered with almonds and dried sour cherries, lavender-infused dark chocolate topped with lemon-flavored white chocolate or dark chocolate teased with chipotle peppers, lime, crunchy sunflower seeds and pepitas. “What’s great about her barks is that you can taste all of the flavors,” said Brenda Steger of Local D’Lish. “They don’t mesh together, they’re all very distinct.” ($9.50 to $11 per 1/2 lb.)